Aboriginal Heritage Walk: Spirit ~ Connection ~ Land
|  | When: | Every Thursday and Friday
The first Sunday in November. 11am - 12.30pm | Where: | Meet at the Visitor Centre, Observatory Gate. | Cost: | $25 adults, $21 concession, $10 child (aged 6-17 years). | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 9252 2429. Bookings required.
Group bookings can be made by special arrangement. Minimum of 15 people per group. | The Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne rest on a traditional camping and meeting place for the local custodians of the area - the Boonerwrung and Woiwurrung people. The Aboriginal Heritage Walk is a rich and vibrant cultural experience. Share in the wealth of local plant lore and see the land through the eyes of your Aboriginal guide. return to top |
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Tropical Hothouse
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| When: | Every day
10am - 4pm | Where: | Glasshouses located near E Gate | Cost: | FREE | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 9252 2429.
Bookings not required. | Escape winter and retreat to the warm, humid tropics inside the Tropical Hothouse.
Experience the feeling of walking through dense vegetation and discover the weird and wonderful plants of the tropical rainforests. Take a step back in time and be astonished by early plant life, which has evolved from before dinosaurs roamed the Earth. |
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| When: | Tuesdays
Program details below 10.30am - 2pm | | Where: | Plant Craft Cottage, near H-gate. | | Cost: | FREE | | Bookings & enquiries: | Bookings not required.
| Come along and see members of the Craft Groups demonstrate their work. Visitors are welcome to watch and ask questions of any member of the Craft Groups. However, visitors are not permitted to take part in any demonstrations.
Please note: The Garden demonstrations are between 10.30am - 12 noon.
10 November: Fibre
24 November: Garden
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Sunday Open DaysPlant Craft Cottage | 
| When | 15 November (Plant Card)
10am - 3pm | | Where: | Plant Craft Cottage, near H-gate. | | Cost: | FREE | | Bookings & enquiries: | Bookings not required.
| A wonderful opportunity to discover Plant Craft Cottage, the oldest building in public gardens in Victoria. This heritage-listed building is open to the public on the third Sunday of the month.
On display will be some of the wonderful hand-made items created by the volunteers at Plant Craft Cottage, with some craft goods available to purchase. |
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The Gardens ShopObservatory Gate & Lakeside
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| When: | Monday to Sunday
9.30am - 5pm | | Where: | Observatory Gate Precinct
RBG Melbourne (Birdwood Ave, South Yarra)
Lakeside
opposite the Ornamental Lake, RBG Melbourne
(enter via A or B gates, Anderson Street) | | Cost: | Various | | Bookings & enquiries: | The Gardens Shop
RBG Melbourne
Tel: (03) 9252 2341 | The Gardens Shop is the perfect place for all things botanica. Choose from a wide selection of botanical and eco-themed home and lifestyle merchandise.
The Gardens Shop offers a range of Royal Botanic Gardens branded merchandise including greeting cards, chutneys, jams and sauces, Maxwell and Williams tableware and exclusive Royal Botanic Gardens clothing. Warm up for winter with some delicious treats from the Gardens Produce range including chutney, conserves and pasta sauces. See out winter in style with our range of beautiful lamb's wool scarves, handcrafted fashion wraps and gorgeous floral-printed umbrellas.
The Artists-in-Residence winter program showcases the best in local artworks with visits from local artists including Janet Flinn, David Reynolds and Sandra Sanger. For details visit www.thegardensshop.com.au. return to top |
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Spring Discovery Walk
|  | When: | Tuesday - Sunday in spring
(Except 3 November) 11am and 2pm | Where: | Register at the Visitor Centre, Observatory Gate | Cost: | FREE! | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 9252 2429.
Bookings not required. | Enjoy the fresh green leaves of spring on an informative walk with one of our friendly guides. Discover the history, cultural significance and stunning beauty of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. return to top |
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Premium Tour
|  | When: | Monday - Friday during spring 10am or 1.30pm | Where: | Meet at the Visitor Centre, Observatory Gate. | Cost: | $60 per person | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 9252 2429. Bookings essential
Only available for Groups by special arrangement. Minimum 15 people per group. | Take a stroll in the Royal Botanic Gardens with the Director of Melbourne Gardens or unearth botanical secrets with the Manager of Horticulture. This exclusive tour provides an opportunity to gain a rare insight into the iconic Gardens and concludes with a Devonshire Tea at The Terrace, overlooking Ornamental Lake. return to top |
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Beyond the garden gate Off-site presentation |  | When: | By arrangement | Where: | By arrangement | Cost: | $50 per group. Aged Care facilities receive a concession rate: $25 per group. | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 9252 2429. Bookings essential. | Invite an expert Voluntary Guide from the Royal Botanic Gardens to visit your venue and take you on a virtual journey down the Gardens' paths!
This engaging presentation will inspire home gardeners and anyone interested in the past and present of Melbourne's favorite public garden. return to top |
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Hey dee ho music in the Children's Garden
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When:
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11, 18 & 25 November
2 & 9 December
10 - 10.45am and 11 - 11.45am
| Where: | The Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden | Cost | $65 for five sessions | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 9252 2429.
Bookings required.
Maximum 15 children per group. | Sing along with Hey dee ho music as they bring percussion, music and movement to the Children’s Garden. Listen to the rustling of plants, discover the world of bugs and beetles, and dance around the trees in this special music program designed for toddlers. Suitable for children aged 18 months – 2 years. Adult participation is required. Choose from a five or ten-week program. |
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Melbourne Observatory: Lunar Tour
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| When: | 26 November
9 - 10pm
| Where: | Meet at the Melbourne Observatory, near Observatory Gate on Birdwood Avenue. | Cost: | $18 adult, $14 concession | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 9252 2429.
Bookings required.
Group bookings can be made by special arrangement. Minimum 15 people per group. | | Be enchanted by the mystical Moon with our expert astronomical guides at the Melbourne Observatory. The ‘first quarter' is an ideal time to explore the Moon's surface, which is studded with craters and strewn with rocks and dust. Discover lots of amazing facts about the Earth's only natural satellite and why the Moon can appear to wobble! return to top |
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Melbourne Observatory: Moons and storms of Jupiter | 
| When: | 16, 23 & 30 November
9 - 10.30pm | Where: | Meet at the Melbourne Observatory, near Observatory Gate on Birdwood Avenue. | Cost: | $18 adult, $14 concession | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 9252 2429.
Bookings required.
Group bookings can be made by special arrangement. Minimum 15 people per group. | Jupiter is the fourth brightest object in the sky and by far the largest planet in our Universe. It is more than twice as large as all the other planets combined - it's 11 times bigger than the Earth! Join us as we look through our historic telescopes and see the storms of Jupiter. You might be lucky enough to gaze at the Great Red Spot; a giant anti-cyclonic storm that is known to have existed since at least the 17th century. We will also look for the four large moons, called the Galilean Moons, that were first discovered by Galileo Galilei in 1610. return to top |
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Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne Inc.:
Sustainable Gardens Talk
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| When: | 24 November
10am for a 10.30am start | Where: | Mueller Hall, National Herbarium of Victoria | Cost: | $15 members, $25 non-members | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 9650 6398
Bookings essential.
| Roger Spencer and Rob Cross, horticultural botanists at the National Herbarium of Victoria, will discuss their latest book, Sustainable Gardening.
The talk will cover topics including garden design, water and soil management, food and flower gardening, the use of chemicals and permeable paving. An inspiring talk and a chance to ask the experts. return to top |
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The Terrace: Weekend barbecues | 
| When: | Every Saturday and Sunday in November
12 noon - 2.30pm | Where: | The Terrace, next to Ornamental Lake. Enter via A Gate on Anderson Street. | Cost: | Prices vary | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 9820 9590
Bookings not required.
| Enjoy our outdoor barbecues every Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon. Choose from delicious bratwurst, beef burgers and vegetarian burgers to go with your ice creams and drinks. return to top |
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The Terrace: High tea | 
| When: | In spring - *Bookings essential
2 - 4pm | Where: | The Terrace, next to Ornamental Lake. Enter via A Gate on Anderson Street. | Cost: | Prices vary | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 9820 9590
Bookings essential.
| The Terrace is now serving traditional high tea!
Come and enjoy our homemade scones, miniature cakes, chocolate-dipped strawberries and ribbon sandwiches. A must for an afternoon of palate pampering and a great idea for special occasions.
See our website www.terracereception.com.au for menu details. return to top |
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The Terrace: Picnic hampers | 
| When: | In spring - *Bookings essential
Available during opening hours | Where: | The Terrace, next to Ornamental Lake. Enter via A Gate on Anderson Street. | Cost: | Prices vary | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 9820 9590
Bookings essential.
| Let us do the work for you and pack a beautiful picnic hamper to enjoy in the Gardens. Pre-order before you arrive by calling The Terrace or order online. return to top |
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The Terrace: Mother's Club | 
| When: | Monday - Friday during spring
9am - 12 noon | Where: | The Terrace, next to Ornamental Lake. Enter via A Gate on Anderson Street. | Cost: | Prices vary | Bookings & enquiries: | Tel: (03) 9820 9590
Bookings not required.
| Drop into The Terrace for morning tea during the week and enjoy our special Mother’s Club morning tea offer.
Choose from a scone/muffin and tea/coffee (no hot chocolate) and a baby cappuccino for just $8. Catch up with friends and relax in a beautiful setting as the kids play in the sunshine. return to top |
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Disclaimer: Please note that while the producers of What’s On take care to be accurate, no liability will be accepted under any circumstances whatsoever should the dates, times, telephone contacts, prices or any other description in this publication be found to be inaccurate; this guide should be used solely on this understanding. | |
